A/N: HAPPY EASTER GUYS! So this is chapter 3, but I just wanted to say that REVIEWS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED:D I know a lot of authors say that but seriously even if you have something constructive to say, I'd love it! Ok that's all here's chapter 3. It's going to be short because honestly I'm having troublewith ideas today. Sorry …

"Hey sweetie. Looks you'll be workin' wit' me today," Montparnasse said as he brushed Eponine's hair out of her eyes.

Montparnasse was a member of her father's gang, The Patron Minette. He had feelings for Eponine, and at one time she had feelings for him as well, but that was before she found out that not all men were like him.

She remembered the first time they'd met. Eponine was out pickpocketing when Montparnasse had approached her. She had assumed that he was bourgeois due to his grand top hat and expensive looking suit, so she attempted to pickpocket him. Before she could, he tossed her a franc and introduced himself. From that day on the two were inseparable, but then everything changed.

It began when she introduced 'Parnasse to her father. Montparnasse had been in need of a job, and though Eponine knew it didn't seem right, she also knew that her father was in need of more pick-pocketers. Her father accepted Montparnasse without hesitation, and within weeks of his hiring, 'Parnasse became Monsieur Thenardier's right hand man. Along with his new title, 'Parnasse became angrier, more violent, and more like Eponine's father every day. She hardly recognized the man who stood in front of her, and the man she'd been attracted to was a distant memory. He became cruel, vindictive, and controlling. Finally Eponine told him straight up that she was no longer in love with him. Let's just say he wasn't too pleased. He now thought of Eponine as his property no matter what she said.

Eponine slapped his hand away from her face, "What a pleasure." Eponine replied sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

Montparnasse mockingly held the door to the Gorbeau House open for Eponine, and she reluctantly stepped out into the streets of Paris.

"What 'Ponine are ya' not happy to see me? Would ya' rather be with that silly bourgeois boy? Ya' know you're lucky I haven't told your old man about Muriel was it?" rambled Montparnasse as he tried to catch up to Eponine who was walking rather quickly.

"Its Marius and you wouldn't dare tell father. He'd be just as angry at you for allowing it to happen." Eponine stated smugly.

'Parnasse grabbed Eponine roughly by the waist and pushed her towards an alley. "Ya' know 'Ponine I'm not sure that your pere would be as angry at moi as you seem to think he'd be. I feel like I should get a… reward of sorts for keeping quiet." Montparnasse whispered into Eponine's ear.

Eponine struggled in his grip, but Montparnasse was too strong. One of his calloused hands gripped Eponine's waist to keep her still, while the other stroked her hair. A smirk was painted on Montparnasse's lips while lust filled his eyes. As Montparnasse began to roughly kiss Eponine's neck, Eponine squealed in terror.

"'Parnasse please stop. Please." Eponine pleaded.

Eponine's pleas only caused 'Parnasse to chuckle and push her harder against the alley wall. Just as Eponine prepared to scream for help, someone pulled Montparnasse off of her. Eponine crumpled to the ground in relief. She hadn't managed to get a look at her savior due to the fact that she'd covered her face in fear. As she listened to Montparnasse and the mystery man argue, she realized her savior was none other than Marius Pontmercy. This made her uncover her eyes and look at the two men.

"What the bloody 'ell?! This aint your problem pretty boy! Keep moving along." 'Parnasse exclaimed as he picked himself off of the ground.

"The woman you were violating happens to be one of my very close friends. So it is indeed my problem." Marius replied. Unlike 'Parnasse his tone of voice stayed level and calm.

Without warning, Montparnasse punched Marius in the face. Marius fell to the ground, and with a gasp Eponine ran to his side. "Marius!" she cried.

Eponine brushed Marius' curly chestnut hair out of his eyes. He was still conscious thankfully, but his eye was swelling greatly. Against Eponine's protestations, Marius got up off of the ground and approached Montparnasse.

"If I ever witness you in the same vicinity as Eponine, I cannot say I will be as forgiving as I was today," Marius said. While he wasn't yelling, his tone more intimidating than Eponine had ever heard it.

"And you're gonna stop me? How do ya' think that'll work, Ma-ri-us?" 'Parnasse replied tauntingly.

Eponine could see something shift in Marius' eyes which she'd never seen before. It was almost as if a fire had been lit in him. Marius pulled back his arm and punched Montparnasse square in the nose. The convict fell to the ground and his top hat tumbled away from his now unconscious body. Blood gushed from his nose, and Eponine felt not even a tad of remorse for him.

Although she was once in love with him, the man that lay on the dusty street at her feet was a monster. She no longer loved him, or even tolerated him. Before Montparnasse could wake up, Eponine took Marius's hand and dragged him out of the alley. The two received many disapproving looks from other citizens as they hustled through the busy Parisian streets joined hand in hand. After a few minutes of walking at their fast pace, Marius and Eponine found themselves on the bridge over the seine river.

Eponine sat down, not caring whether or not it was lady like, and leaned her back against the brick bridge. Marius smiled at her and sat down next to her.

"Thank you Monsieur really," Eponine said as she looked down at the brick of the bridge.

Marius tenderly cupped her face in his hands so she was looking at him. The intensity in his gaze was so powerful that Eponine ended up looking down at his cravat.

"Look at me 'Ponine." He requested kindly, "I will never let anyone hurt you. Ever, and that is a promise." Marius said earnestly.

Eponine's cheeks began to flush pink and tears of joy threatened to fall from her eyes. All her life she'd never felt worthy of being loved or cared for. Marius made her feel safe and happy. Before Eponine could think about what she was doing, she wrapped her arms around him and embraced. She expected him to pull away from her, but instead he held her as well. Eponine buried her head into his shoulder happily.

All too soon, the moment ended and Eponine rested her head on Marius's chest as she listened to his heartbeat.

"'Ponine?" Marius nudged Eponine's shoulder, but found that she had fallen asleep. Careful not to wake her, Marius lifted her in his arms and began to carry her.

Once they reached the Gorbeau House, he felt Eponine stir. When she opened her eyes, and looked as if she might protest, Marius shushed her and let her fall back to sleep. With a slight smirk on his face Marius silently entered Eponine's room and placed her on her cot in the corner. Eponine had never had such a peaceful sleep then the one she had that night.

….

A/N 2: So yeah I told you it was short, and not f=great, but I hope the Eponine/ Marius fluff in this chapter made up for the sub-par writing